Norway Dominates 2026 Winter Olympics Medal Race
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Key Takeaways:
- Norway holds a strong lead in the gold medal count, with prediction markets giving them an 85% chance to top the table as of February 13.
- Ice hockey rivalries intensify with upcoming matches, including Finland vs Sweden in men's round-robin and USA women's quarterfinal against host Italy.
- Viewership surges, with NBC reporting a 93% ratings increase through the first five days, boosting global interest and betting engagement.
Day 7 Schedule Highlights Intense Medal Battles
Seven gold medals are on the line today, including men's snowboard halfpipe, men's 10,000m speedskating, and women's snowboard cross. These events draw significant attention from bettors due to their high unpredictability and star athletes involved. Following Day 6's of the Winter Olympics Cortina 2026, which saw dramatic finishes like a razor-close speedskating result and standout recoveries in snowboarding, momentum carries into Friday's finals. Athletes from various nations are pushing for podium spots, with home advantage playing a role for Italy in several disciplines.
The focus on these categories reflects broader trends in most-viewed events, where snowboarding and speedskating consistently rank high in global streams and wagering volumes. Bettors are closely monitoring live odds shifts based on qualifying performances and weather conditions in the Italian Alps venues.
Norway Dominates Medal Race as Betting Odds Shift
Norway's sports have surged to the forefront of the overall medal standings, solidifying an commanding position in prediction markets. As of early February 13, platforms like Kalshi price Norway's probability of winning the most gold medals at 85%, reflecting their consistent hauls in biathlon, cross-country skiing, and other Nordic events. Team USA, while strong in early finishes, trails and looks to rebound through today's finals to close the gap.
This dominance influences broader Winter Olympics betting markets, where Norway's favoritism has shortened odds across related props. Rivalries between Nordic nations remain fierce, with Sweden and Finland also in contention in specific sports. The shift underscores how early successes in high-point events can dictate long-term wagering trends and national pride narratives.
Ice Hockey Rivalries Heat Up with Key Matchups
In men's Olympic ice hockey, Finland faces Sweden in a critical round-robin clash, with Sweden favored at -200 on the moneyline and -1.5 puck line at +145. Bettors see value in Sweden's defensive edge and scoring potential in a matchup that could impact quarterfinal seeding. The women's tournament advances, with the USA heavily favored at -350 to capture gold overall, while Canada sits at +290 as their primary rival.
The USA women's team faces host Italy in a high-stakes ice hockey quarterfinal, adding layers of intrigue given the home crowd factor. These winter sports games highlight intense rivalries between North American powerhouses and European challengers, driving significant betting interest. Outcomes here could reshape futures markets as the tournament progresses toward medal rounds.
Viewership Boom Signals Strong Betting Momentum
NBCUniversal reports a 93% spike in average viewership to 26.5 million across the first five nights of the Milano Cortina Games. This surge highlights heightened global engagement, particularly in marquee sports like figure skating and alpine skiing, where dramatic stories from Day 6—including Federica Brignone's home-soil Super-G gold and upsets in snowboarding—captivated audiences.
For iGaming, elevated viewership translates to increased traffic on Olympic betting platforms, with more wagers on live events, medal counts, and player props. The trend enhances player experience through better-integrated streaming and real-time odds, while underscoring the Games' role in driving technological advancements in sports betting interfaces and data feeds.
